MANILA, Philippines — Philippine volleyball stakeholders have agreed to prioritize national team commitments over club and school obligations as the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) moves to resolve the leadership crisis that led to the suspension of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF).
The commitment came during a general assembly convened by the POC on Monday at the Solaire Theater Board Room in Parañaque City, where members of the suspended PNVF board also agreed to resign.
“That’s the first step, and they all agreed to resign,” POC President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said.
The POC has been serving as caretaker of the federation’s activities since the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) suspended the PNVF in May over governance issues. The Philippine Sports Commission and the POC also imposed sanctions on the federation.
As part of the proposed reforms, stakeholders agreed to create a 13-member PNVF board with broader representation. The new board will include athlete representatives from women’s beach volleyball and men’s volleyball, as well as representatives from the UAAP and NCAA.
Tolentino said the expanded board aims to strengthen cooperation among stakeholders and ensure that national team duties take precedence whenever athletes are called for international competitions.
“This is to introduce inclusivity and, more importantly, that the stakeholders prioritize the call of the national team,” Tolentino said.
Tolentino presided over the assembly with POC Secretary-General Wharton Chan. Nearly 40 former board members and volleyball stakeholders attended the meeting.
Stakeholders also approved amendments to the PNVF constitution, including the removal of the chairman position, the addition of a board seat for the POC, and a provision allowing the federation president to appoint the secretary-general.
Tolentino said all proposed constitutional amendments were approved during the assembly.
The POC is scheduled to hold another general assembly on Aug. 10 to discuss the next steps toward electing a new PNVF leadership.
